Partnership wages war on reflux

Dr. John L. Pennings and Northwest Specialty Hospital have joined Torax Medical Inc. as strategic partners in bringing LINX Reflux Management System to the Inland Northwest.

This FDA-approved medical device consists of small individual magnets housed in titanium beads which are arranged in a bracelet configuration. During a short, minimally disruptive laparoscopic procedure, the device is placed around the lower esophagus to augment lower esophageal sphincter pressure, thus preventing regurgitation and reflux.

With standard anti-reflux surgery, a fixed-pressure soft tissue barrier is created by wrapping the stomach around the lower esophagus. With the LINX procedure, the low resistance forces between the magnetic beads allow the sphincter to relax normally during swallowing as well as during eructation or vomiting episodes. This minimizes the side effects of post-operative dysphagia, gas bloat, and hyper-flatulence often experienced with standard surgical anti-reflux procedures.

A recent New England Journal of Medicine article highlights these benefits. (NEJM Vol. 368:719-727. Feb. 21, 2013). Of 100 patients studied, 92 percent were able to permanently discontinue their use of PPI medication, 99 percent were able to eat, belch, and vomit normally, and more than 90 percent reported extreme satisfaction with this intervention at years one and three.

"These excellent results are unparalleled in the field of anti-reflux surgery and we are excited to be able to deliver this innovative technology to our patients who suffer from GERD," Dr. Pennings said.

The LINX Reflux Management System is indicated for patients diagnosed with GERD, as defined by abnormal pH testing, who continue to have chronic GERD symptoms despite maximum medical therapy for the treatment of reflux.

For more information, contact Dr. Pennings at (208) 262-0945 or visit www.surgicalbariatrics.com.